Final étrange de “Spock’s Strange New Worlds” : une confrontation truffée d’erreurs de continuité.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 finale introduces viewers to a formidable Gorn warrior, creating an intense fight scene with Spock and Chapel. However, this episode raises a notable Star Trek continuity issue. According to the original series, the first contact between the Federation and the Gorn occurred almost a decade after these events took place.
Strange New Worlds and Canon Inconsistencies
Similar to other franchise prequels, Strange New Worlds sometimes faces challenges in aligning with established canon while introducing familiar elements. One such example is Khan Noonien Singh, Star Trek’s most iconic villain. Surprisingly, La’an, a descendant of this historical tyrant who served in the ranks of Starfleet, is never mentioned in Captain Kirk’s encounters with Khan. This absence of reference raises questions about the impact La’an could have had on Khan’s perspective towards Starfleet.
Another significant canon problem is La’an’s survival from a Gorn attack during her childhood. The reptilian alien creatures have appeared in at least three other Strange New Worlds episodes, yet in the original series, Spock, Uhura, and the rest of the crew seemed unaware of them when encountering the Gorn. This inconsistency is a minor issue in continuity, easily resolved through “head-canon” or fan-made stories to address such contradictions.
The Gorn Threat in Star Trek and Strange New Worlds
Prior to “Hegemony,” the characters in Strange New Worlds had only encountered young Gorn, which are quadrupeds and differ from the bipedal adults. However, in their attempt to destroy the dampening field, Spock confronts an adult Gorn wearing a space suit. Although the encounter takes place in the dark ruins of the Gorn ship, Spock still gets a close look at the alien creature. It is worth noting that throughout the episode, Spock is preoccupied with Chapel, who has been a distraction to him during this season.
The Gorn’s introduction in the original series episode, “Arena,” is known for the slow-paced fight scene between Kirk and the Gorn in rubber suits. However, the Gorn’s actions in Strange New Worlds are portrayed as more brutal compared to their depictions in the original series. In “Arena,” the Gorn attack and devastate the Cestus III colony, luring the Enterprise to the scene. Kirk deduces that the Gorn’s intention is to destroy the Enterprise, making invasion easier. After “Arena,” the Gorn are seldom seen except in a few brief appearances in animation or alternate timelines.
Implications for Star Trek Canon
Strange New Worlds presents the Gorn as truly menacing villains, which suggests that Starfleet should possess information about them. In fact, the Gorn Hegemony even established a border with Starfleet, indicating potential official communication. While the lack of reference to the Gorn in the original series may pose a challenge to canon, it ultimately provides an opportunity for creative storytelling and explanation within the Star Trek universe.
It is important to remember that Star Trek canon is not an inflexible rule, as fans may claim. There are numerous episodes within the canon that fans choose to overlook. Star Trek’s primary goal should be to tell captivating stories rather than adhere rigidly to existing canon. Whether the show’s creators address the Gorn continuity issue or leave it to the fans, the focus should remain on propelling Star Trek’s rich history forward while staying true to its spirit.
As fans await the release of Strange New Worlds Season 3, there are various ways to justify continuity. Once the Federation repels the Gorn, they may choose to redesign their ships or seize alien technology to create new starships. Additionally, the encounters with the Gorn thus far have primarily taken place in the darkness, making it difficult for Starfleet officers to fully comprehend the creatures. It’s also possible that a Starfleet classification or a time-travel solution, like the one seen in Star Trek: Discovery, could be employed.
Ultimately, whether the Gorn continuity issue is resolved by the show’s creators or addressed by the fans, it serves to ensure that Star Trek’s past does not hinder its continued future. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Seasons 1 and 2 are available for streaming on Paramount+.
Source : www.cbr.com
